To meet the revenue targets before the financial year closes, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has stepped up tax collection drive in all the seven zones in the city.

Official sources in the finance department said the valuation officers in each of the seven municipal zones have been strictly asked to initiate harsh action against defaulters, both commercial and residential users, for the collection of municipal taxes, including property and water taxes.

Against the annual target of Rs 279 crore, the SMC has collected Rs 167.75 crore from seven zones. With just 18 days to go for the financial year end, the officials have set a target of closing the tax collection at Rs 190 crore to Rs 200 crore.

The finance department, however, has set the target for collecting Rs 30 crore to Rs 35 crore from all the seven zones in the next 18 days.

Sources said that following the abolition of octroi, the SMC is depending heavily on the taxes and other revenue incomes.

"We have very short time and the target is huge. But, the officials are confident to close the tax collection between Rs 190 crore and Rs 200 crore," said Sharad Mehta, assistant commissioner (finance).

Mehta said the corporation will start issuing bills to the actual users in July and August. This year, the billing was done in December due to some technical problems.